SHERIFF’S OFFICE MAKES ARREST IN SEXUAL OFFENSE CASES
April 7, 2026
Hillsborough, NC (April 7, 2026) – After an extensive investigation, Sergeant K. Goodwin with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Rudy Free, 39, of Hillsborough yesterday. The charges included nine felony warrants for second degree forcible sexual offense. The investigator also charged Free with three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.
The arrests followed an investigation that began after a person disclosed the crimes to a third party. The Sheriff’s Office does not reveal identifying information about victims in such cases.
The magistrate ordered Free held in the Detention Center without bond on the felony charges and set a $20,000 secured bond on the misdemeanors. A judge will review Free’s bond during first appearances today at 2:00 pm.